Daily Quiz Archive

80s Music Trivia Challenge – Friday, May 15, 2026

Part of the 80s Music Chart Challenge archive — 2,800+ curated trivia questions and growing daily.

Featured Themes in This Quiz

The May 15, 2026 edition of the 80s Music Chart Challenge featured 7 Billboard Hot 100 trivia questions covering Run-D.M.C. & Aerosmith, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Rogers, and Taylor Dayne. The questions span 1980 through 1989. Topics covered include Movie Soundtracks, Producers and Collaborations, with difficulty levels ranging from 3 moderate, 3 hard, 1 expert. Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed explanation covering chart positions, artist background, and production context.

Featured Topics:Chart RecordsMovie SoundtracksProducersCollaborations
Run-D.M.C. & Aerosmith, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Rogers, Taylor Dayne, Boy Meets Girl3 Moderate · 3 Hard · 1 Expert1980–1989

This archive page preserves the daily quiz as published, with answers and explanations included.

1

The landmark 1986 collaboration between Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith on "Walk This Way" was famously suggested by which co-founder of Def Jam Recordings?

MODERATE
1986 · Run-D.M.C. & Aerosmith
Lyor Cohen
Rick Rubin
Russell Simmons
Tom Zutaut

Producer Rick Rubin suggested the groundbreaking collaboration that blended hip-hop and rock, revitalizing both Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith's careers.

2

For which legendary R&B group was the song "True Colors" originally intended before Cyndi Lauper recorded her version?

MODERATE
1987 · Cyndi Lauper
Anne Murray
The Jets
The Pointer Sisters
The Staple Singers

"True Colors" was initially meant for The Staple Singers, but they passed on it, leading to Lauper’s iconic rendition.

3

Which film prominently featured Kenny Rogers' "Love the World Away"?

MODERATE
1980 · Kenny Rogers
Coal Miner’s Daughter
Honeysuckle Rose
Smokey and the Bandit II
Urban Cowboy

"Love the World Away" was part of the soundtrack to the 1980 film Urban Cowboy, which helped popularize country-rock crossover songs.

4

Taylor Dayne’s "Tell It to My Heart" was produced by which producer?

HARD
1987 · Taylor Dayne
Narada Michael Walden
Nile Rodgers
Ric Wake
Trevor Horn

Ric Wake produced "Tell It to My Heart," helping craft its signature energetic pop sound.

5

George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam of Boy Meets Girl wrote the 1988 hit 'Waiting for a Star to Fall.' Which major hit for another artist had they previously written?

HARD
1988 · Boy Meets Girl
I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)
Never Gonna Give You Up
Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now
Take My Breath Away

Merrill and Rubicam wrote 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' for Whitney Houston, which became a huge hit prior to their own success with Boy Meets Girl.

6

Which artist recorded “Heaven Help Me”?

HARD
1989 · Deon Estus
Deon Estus
Luther Vandross
Seal
Terence Trent D’Arby

'Heaven Help Me' is a 1989 single by bassist and vocalist Deon Estus, featuring background vocals from George Michael.

7

Which songwriter wrote “If I Could Turn Back Time,” later recorded by Cher?

EXPERT
1989 · Cher
David Foster
Desmond Child
Diane Warren
Jim Steinman

"If I Could Turn Back Time" was written by prolific hitmaker Diane Warren, contributing to Cher's late 80s resurgence.